Constructing citizenship through textbooks

Citizenship education, referred to differently as civics, citizenship education or education for active citizenship in different parts of the world, is usually aimed at inculcating in students certain knowledge, skills and dispositions that are considered important to prepare them to actively participate in a democratic society. This often translates into developing in young children awareness about their duties, responsibilities, and rights so that they can effectively contribute towards national development and nation-building. In some NCERT civics textbooks (1975-2000), for instance, the learner is constantly reminded to develop appropriate qualities of a citizen - rational conduct, co-operation, and concern for fellow beings – in order to fulfill his/her obligations towards his/her family, community, and society at large